Sir Cliff raises a glass to first crush

Last Friday saw the first crushing of the 2011 white grape at Adega do Cantor, near Albufeira.

Invitees were able to talk with Max Birch, winemaker at Adega do Cantor, along with other members of the Birch family, while enjoying a glass of some of the finest wines produced at the Adega and some exceptional canapés provided by John Ketley of As Aves.

Of course, no gathering at Adega do Cantor would be complete without Sir Cliff Richard, owner of one of the three vineyards that comprise Adega do Cantor.

Sir Cliff, who has had a home in the Algarve for many decades, announced his pleasure at being able to commence the crushing process, with great hopes for an excellent harvest this year.

Sir Cliff with partners Michelle and Max Birch.

He said that it was also a pleasure to welcome to the Adega and to the Algarve the winners of competitions held in both the UK and Denmark, Mr and Mrs Rowell and Mr and Mrs Baandrup respectively.

Please visit www.winesvidanova.com

Meanwhile, other Algarve wineries have also been busy this month.

At the Quinta dos Vales winery in Estômbar, the harvesting of the crops began on August 4. A spokesman said: “We are located in a lovely valley with a lot of sun exposure so we start earlier than in other places.”

Friends joined Sir Cliff in the celebrations.

Rains earlier in the year had threatened the crop, but the producers have been happy so far with the results from the harvest.

The spokesman added: “It is still too early to comment on the harvest as a whole but the grapes we have picked so far are all perfect and everything is looking very promising.”

Meanwhile, at Quinta do Barranco Longo in Algoz, the harvesting for this season has already finished.

General Manager of Quinta do Barranco Longo, Rui Virgínia, told the Algarve Resident: “We started the harvest on August 11 and finished it on August 23. The grapes were in excellent condition and we expect great wines from this harvest.”

Rui Virgínia added that new wines will be available in September, the Vignier Barranco Longo and the Remexido in red and white.
1″>news